Tom Gentile re-elected

November 7, 2012

STEUBENVILLE - Incumbent Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Gentile was re-elected to a second term Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the county board of elections.

Gentile, a Democrat, received 16,035 votes compared to the 13,571 votes garnered by challenger Billy Petrella, a nonpartisan candidate who was making his first try into politics.

Gentile said he is glad he will get the chance to see through projects he began during his first term.

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"The biggest disappointment would have been not being able to see the completion of what we put into motion," he said.

Gentile said he worked hard to secure $1.5 million in state grants to expand the runway at the county's airport. The commissioners have committed $500,000 to the project, which Gentile said will be "huge for economic development." He said a large corporate jet used the airport last week, adding the bigger jets will keep coming.

Gentile also said he is looking forward to seeing the water system improvements in the southern end of the county proceed. The county has advertised for bids for a new booster station and 24,000 feet of water transmission lines. He said the improvements will allow residents who have been wanting county water service for years to finally have the chance.

Gentile, 57, has 35 years of experience in the energy business, and experience in water and sewer construction, road construction, real estate development and building construction. He has a master's degree in business administration.

Gentile said the oil and gas industry will be developing in the county and he wants to see the county market itself as a place for those companies to locate.

"I'm really excited to be able to work with Dave (Maple) and Tom (Graham). We have been a good team."